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CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Objective

Apple and pear trees treated with the plant growth regulator prohexadione-ca are significantly less affected by fire blight (a bacterial disease) and by scab (caused by a fungus). Initial results indicate that prohexadione-ca, which is inactive as a bactericide or fungicide, transiently alters the sspectrum of endogenous flavonoids and related substances, thereby inducing natural resistance. The project aims at an in-depth elucidation of the under lying physiological, biochemical and molecular biological mechanisms. As a result, optimised methods for fire blight control, which are urgently needed particularly in pear -growing areas, and will become available. The disputed use of antibiotics to combat this disease will no longer be required. Likewise, the understanding of the new type of resistance mechanism will lead to new efficient, safe and environment friendly products for pathogen control in several further crop plants.